Ratings & Tasting Notes:
97 points Wine Advocate
Review Date: 10/2025
The 2022 Rocket Block James Berry Vineyard contains a lower percentage of Grenache this year, due to the high proportion of Mataro added during fermentation to balance the high sugar and high acid profile of Grenache in this harvest. It opens with a lush, red-fruited nose, complemented by dried flower, wet clay and lavender aromas, followed by a full-bodied, concentrated and punchy profile that characterizes this bottling, while retaining remarkable lift and dexterity. The finish is lively and impressively refined, cascading with layers of vibrant acidity, slowly swelling tannins and retronasal perfume. Despite the unmistakable power contained here, I find this to be an uncommonly elegant expression of the 2022 vintage. Composed of 54% Grenache, 38% Mataro, 4% Syrah and 4% Counoise, it matured for 32 months in 73% new 300-liter barrels with 22% stem inclusion. (ML)
Cult Wines International Notes:
The 2022 Saxum Rocket Block is a standout Grenache-dominant blend that honors the deep-rooted history of the Smith family in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles. Founded by Justin Smith in 2000, Saxum evolved from the James Berry Vineyard, which was originally planted by Justin’s father in 1980. The “Rocket Block” refers to a specific, incredibly steep, northeast-facing parcel of Grenache 01 clones planted in 1995. This block is typically the last to be harvested on the entire estate, benefiting from extreme hang-time that develops immense phenolic ripeness without the direct, scorching heat of the afternoon sun.
The 2022 growing season was defined by extreme resilience. It began with a persistent drought and culminated in a brutal Labor Day weekend heatwave that forced many vintners to harvest prematurely. Justin Smith, however, employed a high-risk strategy: he waited out the heat, subsequently sending crews into the vineyard to manually shear away desiccated berries, sacrificing nearly 35% of the crop to preserve quality. To balance the high sugars and acidity typical of this vintage, the 2022 blend (54% Grenache, 38% Mataro, 4% Syrah, and 4% Counoise) saw an increased proportion of Mataro (Mourvèdre), which thrived in the heat.
The result is a wine of unexpected elegance and “lift” despite its power, characterized by a perfumed nose of lavender, kirsch liqueur, and peppery garrigue. Aged for 32 months in French oak, the palate is opulent yet “light on its feet,” featuring the silky, “pillowy” tannins that have become a hallmark of the Rocket Block. Critics have lauded the vintage for its density and refinement, with Jeb Dunnuck awarding it 99 points. While it possesses the concentration to age for decades, it is remarkably approachable for such a bold Paso Robles red and is expected to peak between 2025 and 2042.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Perfect.
